Ohio Statehouse Installs Full-Service Bar

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's Capitol building in Columbus will be a place for making laws and making drinks.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the Ohio Statehouse's first full-service bar will open next month within an existing cafe. The bar on the building's lower level will sell beer, wine and liquor.

The Ohio agency that oversees the Statehouse says the bar will have flat-screen televisions and will be open to the public at certain times. It also will host special events and what are described as "private happy hours."

One thing it won't allow: guns.

A new Ohio law permits some concealed weapons to be carried into bars and other places where alcohol is served. But the public is prohibited from taking firearms into the Statehouse.

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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com

Comments

[Capt Nemo]

08:16 PM on 07/07/2011

First, Kasich calls our selfless law enforcement men and women "idiots", then goes on a union busting binge, then sets his sights on medicare, all the while refusing pay cuts for himself or his staff. And NOW, I have to pony up for this (expletive)'s own personal frat house? Ohio's economy is already in the sewer, and now this (expletive)hole wants to flaunt this excessive, vulgar, gluttonous waste in front of all the Ohio taxpayers that have fallen on hard times??!! Apparently, my fellow Ohioans have a much higher threshold for BS than I do. Or maybe they just enjoy the abuse, who knows? If people here had the money to buy houses, I would sell mine and abandon this sinking ship. But they barely have the money to buy groceries, let alone houses. So I'm stuck. But I vote, Kasich. You're fired.

[shivabeach]

08:59 PM on 07/05/2011

Rep. Robert Mecklenborg should have waited, he could have just drank in the bar instead of with his hooker

[floodberg]

02:04 AM on 07/05/2011

I bet the expense tabs skyrocket!

[glassbender]

07:23 PM on 07/04/2011

talk about being out of touch, what about the JOBS you gop asswholes

[straightuptalker]

04:28 PM on 07/04/2011

Geeeze...our law makers haven't done too well sober, so maybe this will serve to "loosen" them up a little so they can think straight. Me thinks it's only the beginning. I wouldn't be surprised if other state's offices had one stashed away...somewhere.

[CheckerboardStrangler]

11:38 AM on 07/04/2011

This HAS to be Boehner's idea.
I never realized how sick that state is till recently.

[bagelmart]

10:58 AM on 07/04/2011

Drinks are on the House!

[Sol Rosenberg]

09:17 PM on 07/03/2011

How is this justified in any way?

[MarieB]

12:42 PM on 07/02/2011

Your tax dollars are buying the alcohol and paying for the bartender(s) Ohioans.

[Jawbey]

12:13 PM on 07/02/2011

Won`t have to drink in their offices now, just take the elevator down, and run your tab.

[DevonTexas]

11:36 AM on 07/02/2011

"A new Ohio law permits some concealed weapons to be carried into bars and other places where alcohol is served. But the public is prohibited from taking firearms into the Statehouse."

Hypocrites!

[Not Yours]

04:17 PM on 07/02/2011

No, not hypocrites, the law! The law states you can as a public agency or private business not allow concealed carry permit holders to carry lawfully concealed firearms on the premises. It simply allows the property owner the right to prohibit. Many bars, banks, and other misc. businesses have the proper signage, including government buildings. I am an Ohioan, you are misinformed. I live it everyday and carry almost everywhere that is permitted under law.

[DevonTexas]

07:44 PM on 07/02/2011

I assume it wasn't simple enough for you... if you pass a law allowing concealed guns, you can't, then, say those concealed weapons aren't allowed in the state house. To put it even more simple... what's good for the goose, is good for the gander. Now go play outside with your guns.

[DevonTexas]

08:15 PM on 07/02/2011

... I live it everyday and carry almost everywhere that is permitted under law."

You carry a gun just because it's permitted?! That sounds like a symptom of mental illness.

[StewII]

11:11 AM on 07/02/2011

GOP men's club, dancers are next.

[Targetdog]

11:26 AM on 07/02/2011

Chippendales for sure.

[DevonTexas]

11:36 AM on 07/02/2011

LOL. probably.

[loco48]

10:36 AM on 07/02/2011

Good , these law maker just passed a law allowing guns in bars. So I hope all visitors to the state house will all pack their glocks.

[huffer62]

10:10 AM on 07/02/2011

The architect of Ohio repressive voter ID legislation, Robert Mecklenborg, was arrested for drunk driving in Indiana late April. News just broke in Ohio. oops, I guess he doesn't have a license so he can't vote. BTW, woman in car with him at time he was pulled over was stripper. He also had Viagra in his system. Now he can drink at State House I guess

[DevonTexas]

11:37 AM on 07/02/2011

won't have to drive... especially if they supply hookers and viagra.

[floodberg]

02:05 AM on 07/05/2011

Statehouse with a bar...yep, there be hookers there!

[springsm]

09:39 AM on 07/02/2011

What in the world is happening in Ohio? Full bar in the statehouse, guns in bars, Boehner, Schmidt, election fraud, Ken Blackwell, and those who came before him. Now this crazy govenor. This state is in some serious deep yogurt. Start voting smartly.

[DevonTexas]

11:38 AM on 07/02/2011

something in the water? fracking? gotta be sumpin.